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Frugaleers hurtling through November... is it too early to mention the C word? All welcome for money saving chat!

999 replies

Cagliostro · 19/11/2017 14:18

Hi all, please settle in for chatting about all things frugal, and all things everything else :o

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SnugglySnerd · 28/11/2017 07:55

Well done Cag!

What are pineapple lumps?

I have made a super frugal soup this week with endless possibilities for adapting. It was basically onion, garlic, carrots, red pepper and a tin of tomatoes plus stock/water. I added orzo pasta so it's a bit like minestrone. Everyone loved it on Sunday and yesterday I added grated Parmesan on top. There's a little bit left today so I'm going to eek it out by adding more water and about a third of a bag of leftover spinach. I'm thinking in future I could make it with chicken peas/lentils/beans and whatever odd bits of veg we have lurking.

Should be NSD today.

ememem84 · 28/11/2017 08:28

snuggly pineapple lumps are the best. That’s what they are.

They’re pineapple flavoured chewy yellow stuff covered in chocolate. They’re wierd. But delicious.

Today I’m doing a food shop. Then Christmas shopping. Then gym.

My fingers are really stiff. The dr said it’s probably to do with post pregnancy hormones. And will go away in time but man it’s painful.

Dh is in a strop because I mentioned that when I’m in town I’m going to look at warm gloves. He stripped because he was going to buy them for me for Christmas but now there’s no point. I did point out I want to see them first and make sure they’re right before anyone buys anything. But nope. Christmas present ruined. This is why I buy myself gifts.

SnugglySnerd · 28/11/2017 08:32

Em a friend of mine had that after pregnancy. She did some strange exercise involving being on all fours and walking her hands round in a circle type thing. I don't know how to explain it I'm afraid but I'm sure it's online somewhere.

listsandbudgets · 28/11/2017 08:58

We are not going to pantomime. I priced it up yesterday. Even with cheaper seats it was £125 for the four of us Shock. I am going to rrssrch whsts on at other theatres ... there must be a better deal than that.

Council tax went out today. Water goes out tomorrow... limping towards pay day on 1st.

Counted up my £2 coin collection last night. £130 will hopefully cover most of big Christmas shop. Done stockings for children and a couple of presents for each of them. Wider family and dp to deal with now...

Always felt just about comfortable before now really feeling increasing prices on everything .. and electric bill is massive

Sorry feeling a bit low today. Will try to have an NSD and calm down... savings dwindling a bit and massive insurance bill coming up in January ...

fuckity fuck... at least I have a lovely family and a good home. Who really cares about the rest

ememem84 · 28/11/2017 08:59

It’s so strange snuggly I want expecting anything like this. It could be a lot worse though in the grand scheme of things I’ve got off lightly with the whole pregnancy birth after effects.

Dh and I are still in bed with ds. Ds has a very strange look on his face. And has just done the biggest grin at dh. I suspect he’s done a mega poo. Dh thinks not. Dh is checking the nappy. Dh is brave. I fear for him.

listsandbudgets · 28/11/2017 09:00

oh and ive got chilblaines... and they hurt.. baaah humbug

listsandbudgets · 28/11/2017 09:24

Snuggly Im going to try your frugal soup. I cooked too much pasta on Minday and its sitting in fridge waoting to be resued.I have celery, onions, garlic, passata amd some frozen broad beans. I should be able to make something decent out of that lot. Thanks for idea

Cagliostro · 28/11/2017 09:34

All that lovely relaxin hormone wearing off I suppose em -and the cold doesn't help I bet. Even more important to get decent gloves of course...

I just sorted out all the clothes Cagletini has outgrown she should finally be able to fit in more of the bigger newborn stuff now. Maybe even some 'up to one month' size at the ripe old age of 5 weeks. She's definitely bigger and heavier, getting her weighed today then going christmas shopping with mywhat yay!

OP posts:
Cagliostro · 28/11/2017 09:37

Lists sorry you are feeling so down. It's exhausting when everything just keeps getting more and more expensive. This time of year is even worse if you're struggling, be kind to yourself x

OP posts:
ememem84 · 28/11/2017 09:48

Absolutely cag I’m finding holding hot things helps. So I’ve nursed two buckets of tea this morning. Yay.

Especially important to take care of ourselves (all of us) this time of year. Be kind guys.

Right. Off to the shop I go. Dh and ds are in bed. Ds has stolen my spot.

I’ve just had a slice of toasted sourdough and homemade jam. Mmm.

LonelyOversharer · 28/11/2017 09:56

lists take it easy on yourself. It is a struggle. I look at my gorgeous dc and I know I'm ok. But everything is so very expensive.

Had to tske dd2 through to the dentist this morning (only appt until january), so dropped them all off late to school. Bad planning, as my little car is still off the road. Here is it's gear box Confused so big car, all kids super early start. The £78 fuel I put in last week has almost gone. May as well just tip money away.

Going to empty the shop counter today, as it needs to go into the shed (as dp's new workshop bench) before we put the wall on or it won't fit. Will list things on ebay as I empty it. I'll just mn for a bit longer before I start...

Frugaleers hurtling through November... is it too early to mention the C word? All welcome for money saving chat!
SunnyLikeThursday · 28/11/2017 10:04

I've started the house-polishing mission, with a view to getting it really nice before Christmas just for us, there will be no visitors. The last thing is always the thinning of toys in the living room to make room for new ones. First though, we have to rebuild all the nexo knight lego as there will be more at Christmas.

We have a date for ds to have his tooth out under GA in two weeks. Fingers crossed and touching wood right and left.

LonelyOversharer · 28/11/2017 10:36

sunny he will be fine. Honestly. The worst bit is watching them go under. He will be done within 5 minutes. Ds had 5 out and in was in recovery 12 minutes later. Longest 12 minutes of our lives mind.

I'm also about to embark on the pre Christmas clear out. There is a pile of stuff on the end of the settle/living room windowsill that hasn't been moved since august just papers and baking cooling racks (and a pile of ironing that I never do), but still.

listsandbudgets · 28/11/2017 10:37

Thank you all for being so nice to me.

Taking inspiration - nice frugal soup - freeze for Friday when we normally have pasta and we have garlic bread in the freezer. Tidy house - at least its free and will have a nice end result and stop me shopping. Sell some things - I have some collectable books I'll put on a facebook group dedicated to that sort of thing (3 chalet schools for anyone who cares!!).

Going to start doing swagbucks again. I'm already doing inbox pounds and onepoll. Due £20 amazon voucher on Friday from inbox pounds and got about £18 on onepoll so may be able to cash that out in January or Feb (have to wait until I'm at £40.) Will also try to do some yougov polls - long long way from the £50 on that but worth a go.

I'm feeling just a tiny bit more positive. Think part of my misery is down to my new coil - I keep putting weight on - half a stone in two bl**dy weeks is shit :(

Right cleaning and book listing won't do itself

Caglistro - hope baby cag carries on putting on weight well- it is hard when they're so tiny. My friend's baby was born very prem but is now an athletic, very academic and extremely beautiful 12 year old :)

Oh and another thing to cheer me up just got email from school summarising termly assessments for dd - she got 88% in her maths assessment, 96% in physics, 86% in biology and A+ in RE. Everything else she got 60% or above in and was above the year average for all subjects except PE which she hates but we can overlook that!! :) Maybe with maths skills like that she can figure out the budgets!!

Laska5772 · 28/11/2017 10:58

Hi all I was hoping to have nsd but ive decided to book our local steam railway santa special train ride for when dgs is here next. Includes gift and suitable festive snacks..
Its his birthday that weekend so it will be a double treat for him (we December babies get used to christmas themed birthday treats .. its part of the deal ) . But it should br fun. Was £ 47 for three of us( me ds anddgs ) so not too bad

WreckTangled · 28/11/2017 10:58

That's great lists! It's hard at the moment we're struggling to stick to our budget too mainly with food and fuel. My blender is broken too so can't do soup.

listsandbudgets · 28/11/2017 11:02

Right books listed - will leave and see if there's any interest by this evening. Next to tidy house - may even find something esle I can sell :)

SnugglySnerd · 28/11/2017 11:02

Enjoy your soup Lists.

What about chunky soup Wreck?

ememem84 · 28/11/2017 11:05

£75.28 at the coop. But £39.99 of that was on gin for df for Christmas. So £35 for a weeks shop. Not bad.

The gin is one they make in guernsey And is apparently lovely.

Home now. Dh and ds have struggled while I’ve been out. Ds was grouchy. Dh wanted breakfast. Etc. I’m secretly pleased - dh is seeing the sorts of things I deal with daily.

I’ve used my laundry egg for about 3/4 of The washes I’ve done this week (since Saturday). So far so good.

SunnyLikeThursday · 28/11/2017 11:06

Lonely Thanks that's really kind of you. I hadn't thought of it being so quick. He's to have 1 filling, four fissure seals and a tooth out. I suppose most of the time in dentistry is the cajoling of the patient though, so if they're asleep it is probably much faster. That's a good thought. Smile

listsandbudgets · 28/11/2017 12:21

A useful hour. Listed my books for sale. Not much cleaning done but house is vaguely tidier AND I've been through the drawer of doom (I mean the one in which all the junk we'll deal with later is shoved) - some of its charity shopped, a lot of it is binned and the rest of it is shoved back in there in despair. I found an envelope containing 41 euros - no idea why or where it came from but will keep hold of them for now..or shall I exchange them euro strong against pound at moment so may be worth while.

got a reminder that tidying is dangerous though - putting some books back on the bookshelf it tilted slightly and photo frame on top fell and landed hard on the bridge of my nose!! Think that's going to feel tender for a while. Grin

Next work out what's for dinner and defrost. Make a crumble - somehow managed to defrost stewed apples instead of chilli for dinner last night -no idea how though it was even labelled chilli. Do some surveys and try to bring in a few pennies...

mammymammyIRL · 28/11/2017 12:35

On Sat I had a good frugaleer's trip to town - brought back a jumpsuit that zip had broken in, and got a brand new replacement but the newer style so more Christmassy and also left in a dress to a resale shop, must ring there today to find out how much they're giving me for it.

lonely my heart goes out to you with the packing up and selling stock online for your shop, must be soul destroying, how's your dh doing with it?

I haven't read the thread but I plan to.
I've got fruflu so all I want to do is sleep, but I've got to work.

My big news, a friend of ours got a job two days a week and is interested in sharing our au pair, so au pair gets extra money and they pay us some to reduce our childcare bill as we have au pair living with us and also it will be our car that's being used. The dc get on well and au pair will enjoy as well. It's only for 6 months.

listsandbudgets · 28/11/2017 13:13

Well done mammy great to come back with more money than you went out with :)

needastrongone · 28/11/2017 13:23

Afternoon.

Sorry, I'm a bit behind as life is busy.

Lists I think you asked about my house not smelling of dogs, sorry if it was someone else. It helps because my floors are wood and tile. I vacuum at least once a day. Floors are mopped every other (with floor wipes on my hands and knees, this is true...!). I wash their bedding weekly, bowls are washed a lot and I Febreze any chairs or sofas they sit on. They are allowed on the beds, but only with the dog blankets on. They get completely washed after every walk too. I am so anal about dog smells. Grin

Fluffy I think I prefer the Pixie glow tonic, despite the price and an oil based cleanser prior to that. I'm willing to try the Superdrug stuff though, it's cruelty free isn't it? Not getting on with Nip and Fab tbh. I'm looking at the ethical side now too.

Good saving on the au pair Mammy.

Sunny DS has been under twice, both around age 7/8 I think. The staff are so fantastic and he really was fine both times. Your DS will be.

It's an interesting one about anxiety. I often wonder why I deal with the shit in my life well overall. I had a mother that was/is tremendously unkind (do you remember last year when she told me I was a worthless piece of shit?), my parents divorced with a shed load of anger, I had an unwanted pregnancy in difficulty circumstances when I was 20 and a DH with bi-polar. Yeah, I have my moments but in general I deal with it all okay. And you guys were fab when I did get quite low last year and thank you for that. I've decided that part of it is because I'm quite logical and can process stuff as things that have happened but will not define me (or that I'm a stubborn cow!) and also I just reckon our brains are wired in different ways and that's just nature. And that's not a brag, I can see how MH affects a person, I live with it daily. Or maybe I'll go 'POP' someday, who knows?!!

I'd like to know why folk comfort eat, or have OCD or whatever. It's such an interesting thing, how our brains work.

I'm not better or worse than anyone else, but I'm really thankful to be able to be able to cope as I do. I have every sympathy with other folk, I absolutely do and strongly feel that MH needs to be given the same priority as physical, thankfully that's changing.
My only thing I get anxious about it driving in unfamiliar surroundings but I take the sat nav and that's diminished massively and I can always ask.

Exercise and eating being completely on point make a difference to me personally. I'm crap if I can't run. And actually, we don't have money issues. That one fact in itself makes an incredibly difference to MH I think.

Yesterday was £25 in Aldi
£5 - today at fitness class.

Mushroom bourguinon (sp?) yesterday with sweet potato and green beans was amazing. A Tesco recipe, and bloody good.

Off to walk the dogs, then clean them, then clean them some more ha ha!!

needastrongone · 28/11/2017 13:29

Actually my diet is lot worse now I have lonely's flap jacks in my life...AngryGrin